2018 BF3 is a micro-asteroid, classified as a near-Earth object of the Apollo group, approximately 20 meters (70 ft) in diameter. It was first observed on 20 January 2018, by astronomers of the Catalina Sky Survey at Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, United States,[1] the day after the closest flyby, due to its approach from the direction of the Sun.
On 19 January 2018, the object passed at a nominal distance of only 0.00162 AU; 150,000 mi (242,000 km) from Earth.[2] This corresponds to 0.63 LD.[3] Close approaches are projected for 28 October 2019 and 26 August 2021, both at a much larger distance (0.24 AU).[2]
2018 flyby: Its path across the sky on 19 January was east to west (2 hour positions shown) (left). Seen from space, it passes just outside geosynchronous orbit (right).
Physical characteristics
The Minor Planet Center estimates a diameter of 12–38 meters (39–120 ft),[3] concurring with other estimates of 18–40 meters (59–130 ft).[4] As of 2018, no rotational lightcurve of this object has been obtained from photometric observations. The asteroids's rotation period, pole and shape remain unknown.[2]
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